Method and apparatus to manage femtocell traffic
First Claim
1. A communications network, comprising:
- a cellular access network;
an access point access network at least in communication with the cellular access network to support soft handoff between the access point access network and the cellular access network and having a database configured with information identifying resident devices associated with the access point access network;
an identifier module configured to identify signals of the resident devices and roaming devices, where the roaming devices are not normally associated with the access point access network; and
a service module to access the database and assign characteristics of service to support communications of the resident and roaming devices while employing the access point access network based on the information in the database and to support soft handoff to enable the resident and roaming devices to have seamless transitions between the cellular access network and the access point access network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Common techniques for processing cellular service uses a signal cellular tower, but these techniques are limited to the capacity of the single cellular tower. In contrast, a system employing an example embodiment of the invention increases ability to process cellular service by using an access point access network using resident wireless devices, referred to as a femtocell. A system supports communications of a resident and roaming device while employing the access point access network, based on database information, to support soft handoff between adjacent femtocells or from femtocell to cell tower and vice-versa. As a result, the system enables the resident and roaming devices to have seamless transitions between the cellular access network and the access point access network. Thus, the access point access network supplements cellular access networks and can provide cellular service regardless of the capacity of the cellular tower.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A communications network, comprising:
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a cellular access network; an access point access network at least in communication with the cellular access network to support soft handoff between the access point access network and the cellular access network and having a database configured with information identifying resident devices associated with the access point access network; an identifier module configured to identify signals of the resident devices and roaming devices, where the roaming devices are not normally associated with the access point access network; and a service module to access the database and assign characteristics of service to support communications of the resident and roaming devices while employing the access point access network based on the information in the database and to support soft handoff to enable the resident and roaming devices to have seamless transitions between the cellular access network and the access point access network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for managing femtocell traffic comprising:
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communicating with a cellular access network to support soft handoff between an access point access network and the cellular access network; configuring a database with information identifying resident devices associated with the access point access network; configuring an identifier module to identify signals of the resident devices and roaming devices not normally associated with the access point access network; accessing the database and assigning characteristics of service to support communications of the resident and roaming devices; employing the access point access network for service based on the information in the database; and supporting soft handoff to enable the resident and roaming devices to have seamless transitions between the cellular access network and the access point access network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing a wireless user with access point service, comprising:
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contracting with access point agents to support wireless service via an access point in an access point access network; contracting with a third party for the wireless services; providing consideration to the access point agents for wireless service to the third party via the access points; and collecting a fee from the third party for the wireless service. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for providing a wireless user with access point wireless service, comprising:
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contracting with a service provider to provide access to an access point in an access point access network for support of wireless service for customers of the service provider; providing the customers of the service provider access to the access point access network; and receiving consideration from the service provider for providing the customers with access to the access point access network.
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26. An apparatus to manage femtocell traffic comprising:
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a soft handoff negotiation module configured to support soft handoff between an access point access network and a cellular access network; a database configured with information identifying resident devices associated with the access point access network; an identifier module configured to identify signals of the resident devices and roaming devices, the roaming devices not normally being associated with the access point access network; and a service module to access the database and assign characteristics of service to support communications of the resident and roaming devices, communicating via the access point access network, based on the information in the database and to support soft handoff to enable the resident or roaming devices to have seamless transitions between the cellular access network and the access point access network. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An method for managing femtocell traffic comprising:
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configuring a database with information identifying resident devices associated with an access point access network; configuring an identifier module to identify signals of the resident devices and roaming devices not normally associated with the access point access network; accessing the database and assigning characteristics of service to support communications of the resident and roaming devices; supporting communications via the access point access network for the roaming devices based on the information in the database; and supporting soft handoff to enable the resident or roaming devices to have seamless transitions between a cellular access network and the access point access network. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification